[My brother in Law is a Peds intensivist in NY, started with q3h, starting salary 130k, he is exploring the possibilities in the suburbs, offers of 180-200k are plenty, but he has to do the job of both NICU and PICU. Right now in an academic Ctr, he works just like a resident
QUOTE=Homunculus]it depends. i've rotated through a residency affiliated PICU where the attendings were 3d on (72 hrs straight), 6d off and cleared 300+k/yr. the bottom line is, with all specialties, it depends on if you are academic/private and how you are set up. if you are the only game in town, you're not gonna have issues with pt volume. academic institutions get paid less, but also have more time for research and time off-service.
generally, specialties you do procedures in (GI, cards, PICU/NICU) are going to pay more than the more cerebral (endo, renal, general) specialties. exceptions abound, but if you are looking at potential salaries it may be a place to start.
"burn-out" i think is more a function of personality than specialty. if you genuinely enjoy your job and coworkers, you'll be fine. if you go into something simply because the money is good you're in trouble.
.
--your friendly neighborhood fellowship pondering caveman[/QUOTE]